Joint for structural toys



Dec. 15, 1936. MACK 2,063,895

' JOINT FOR STRUCTURAL TOYS Filed April 10, 1936 Bnventor Patented Dec. 15, 1936 STATES FATENT QFFEQE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of structural toys, and is concerned primarily with the provision of a novel type of joint for detachably connecting together various structural parts.

In the patent to Mack, Number 1,973,536, dated September 11, 1934, for a Structural toy, there is illustrated and described a structural toy in which the various elements are identified as being of a rectangular cross section. The main 10 structural elements are of a square tubular formation, while the joining members are of a solid construction, having a cross sectional shape, corresponding to that of the tubular members.

The present invention has in View, as its foremost objective, the provision of an improved manner of detachably connecting together the structural elements of the toy, so as to render the latter adapted to be formed into an almost infinite number of constructional designs.

In accordance with this invention, so called joint members are availed of, and these joint members are of a solid construction and comprise bars or rods, having a substantially square cross section. The invention proposes an arrangement in which the joint members cross one another, and this invention, therefore, has in view as a further objective, the provision, in a structural toy of the character above noted, a joint consisting of joint members which have been cut away to provide for their crossing one another, and with which are associated tubular elements which include means for maintaining the assembled relation of the joint members.

Yet another objective in view is the provision, in a structural toy of the type above noted, of joint members and tubular structural elements which are connected to each other, by a detachable fastening, which is characterized as including spring elements integrally formed with the tubular elements and cooperating with recesses in the joint members.

To the end of maintaining the joint members in various assembled positions such as a crossing relationship, the tubular elements are provided with an extension on one side thereof, and which extension is intended to over-lap the cross for the purpose noted.

This invention also contemplates an arrangement in which one of the tubular elements itself may be assembled with one of the joint members, with the tubular element received in the cutaway recess of the joint member. To the end of maintaining such an assembled relationship, the tu- 55 bular elements are provided with slots in their sides, which cooperate with the extensions above noted on other tubular elements.

Inasmuch as a structural toy, of the type with which this invention is concerned, may include joints of a more complex nature than a cross, the invention has in View as a further object, the provision of a joint member which comprises a solid hub portion, formed with a cutaway recess as above noted, and from which hub portion radiate a plurality of solid projections for detach- 10 able connection with the tubular elements. Another joint member is intended for cooperation with this-joint member, including the plurality of projections, and this second joint member will also have a cutaway recess to cooperate with the 15 recess first mentioned.

In order to provide for the maintenance of the assembled relationship between the joint members, the hub portion of the first joint member is provided with a slot which is disposed above the 20 said cutaway recess. This slot is designed to receive the extension on one of the tubular elements which may be affixed to the second joint element.

Various other more detailed objections and ad- 5 vantages, such as those associated with carrying out the above noted thoughts in a practical embodiment, will, in part become apparent, and in part be hereinafter stated, as the description of the invention proceeds. go

The invention, therefore, comprises a joint for structural toys, made up of solid joint members and tubular structural elements. The joint members are provided with cutaway recesses to afford an interfitting relationship therebetween, while 35 tubular elements are formed with extensions which cooperate with the joint members in maintaining the assembled relationship of the latter.

A detachable connection between the tubular elements and joint members is provided in the form 40 of spring clips, which are positioned integrally from the tubular elements and cooperate with recesses in the joint members. Certain of the joint members, as well as their tubular members may be provided with slots for receiving the extensions on other tubular members.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing 50 wherein:

Figure l is a perspective illustration, bringing out the relationship of the various joint and tubular elements by a somewhat exploded show- Figure 2 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 1, developing a modified type of joint arrangement.

Figure 3 is another perspective showing of one of the tubular elements per se.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary showing of one end of one of the structural elements, this view being taken as a section therethrough, and

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken about on the plane represented by the line 55 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, a so-called cross joint is shown in Figure l as defined by a pair of joint members designated A and B. These joint members A and B are of substantially identical construction, and only one of them needs be here described for the purpose of this description.

The joint member A is shown as comprising a main body portion it, which is provided intermediate of its extremities with a cutaway recess 1 i, the recess ll being defined by a bottom wall l2, which is approximately halfway between the opposite faces of the body portion ill, and end walls i3. Extending outwardly from each end of the main body portion H.- is a reduced shank portion Hi, there being a shoulder at i5, between the shanks l4 and the main body portion i0. Each of the shanks i4 is provided with a truncated spherical recess at it, there being a pair of these recesses on opposite faces of each of the shanks It is evident that when the joint members A and B are assembled with the bottom walls IQ of the recess ii in engagement with each other, that a cross joint is provided which at no point is of a greater thickness than the thickness of one of the body portions l0.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 3, one of the tubular structural elements is there shown, and referred to generally by the reference character C. The element C is of a tubular formation, having a substantially square cross section, and is defined by side walls, designated [1, l8, l9 and respectively. As shown in Figure 1, as well as Figure 3, the side wall 20 is continued with a reduced breadth, as an extension designated 2!. At each end the metal of the side walls H and I9 is partially cut away to provide leaf spring members 22, which are integrally connected with their respective side walls, as shown at 23. The metal of each of the spring members 2 is deformed, as indicated at 24, to provide an interiorly extending projection that is intended to be substantially complemental to the recess [6, being designed to fit therein.

With the joint members A and B in the cooperating relationship brought out by Figure 1, one of the structural elements C is now positioned so that the shank M, on the element B is received in the hollow of the tubular element C. In this position the leaf springs 22 are effective through the engagement of the projections 25 with the recesses IE, to detachably establish the connection between the element C and the joint members B.

In this position, the extension 2! overlies the body portion H of the joint member A to prevent disassembly of the parts. The joint member C may be positioned over one of the shanks M with a joint member A, in which event the extension 2! on this tubular element C will overlie the body portion ill of the joint member B, to further strengthen the connection with the above described arrangement.

It is apparent that each of the joint members A and B have a shank Hi which is designed to have one end of one of the structural members C detachably connected thereto, but with the extension 2i already overlying the joint members A and B, the structural element so positioned should not have the extensions 2! on the ends which receive the shanks l4.

As shown in Figure 3, the side walls I"! and I!) are provided with slots 26, which may be enlarged as shown at 2'! for a purpose ultra to this invention. This makes possible the positioning of one of the tubular elements C, with either of the side walls H3 or 20 engaging the bottom wall l2 of one of the joint members A and B. In this position, the slots 2'? are adapted to receive an extension 2! on another tubular element C, which may be positioned over the shank l4.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 2, a somewhat modified form of joint member is iown and referred to generally by the reference character D. This joint member D is illustrated as comprising a main hub portion 28, which is formed with a recess 25, which is similar to the recess ii above described.

Just above the recess the hub portion 28 is provided with a slot 38. Extending radially outwardly from the hub portion 28 are a plurality of projections 3!, which correspond to the shanks Hi of the joint members already described. In the illustrated embodiment, the hub member 28 is shown as provided with three of these extensions 3!. but obviously the invention is not to be limited in this respect, as this number could be varied as occasion demands. Each of the shanks Si is formed with depressions 32 on opposed faces, and which depressions correspond to depressions E6 in the shanks I4.

The joint member D is designed for cooperation with one of the joint members A or B. As shown in Figure 2, the joint member A is to be positioned so that the bottom wall i2 of the recess ii therein engages the bottom wall of the recess 29, so that when one of the tubular elements C is positioned to receive the shank Hi of the joint memher A. the extension 2i will enter the slot to maintain the joint members A and B in assembled relationship.

In a manner already described, another tubular element C may be positioned over the lowermost of the extensions 3|, in which event the extension 2! will overlie the main body portion l 0 of joint member A, to further strengthen the connection.

It is evident from the foregoing that a joint for structural toys is provided, which is characterized by the quick detachability of the various parts, as well as a positive assurance that the joints will be maintained in their assembled relationship until the occasion arises when it is desired to disassemble the same. Moreover, a good detachable connection between each of the tubular elements and the joint members is provided for.

A slight modification is shown in Figure 5, in which the leaf springs 22 are joined with strengthening ribs 33. These ribs 33 extend lengthwise of the springs 22 and serve to impart rigidity thereto. They may be joined by a metal stamping operation.

While preferred specific embodiments of the invention are hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that I am not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:-

1. A joint of the character described comprising a joint member formed with a recess and a shank at one side of the recess, said recess being adapted to receive a member which is to be joined to the joint member, a tubular element including means cooperating with the shank for detachably connecting the tubular element to the shank, and an extension on the tubular element to overlie the recess and thereby engage a member which may be disposed in the recess to maintain the assembled relationship between th last mentioned member and the joint member.

2. A joint of the character described comprising a joint member consisting of a central body portion formed with a recess and a shank extending from each side of said body portion, each of said shanks being formed with depressions therein, a tubular element adapted to receive one of said shanks, said tubular element being formed with springs which cooperate with the depressions in the shank to establish a detachable con nection, and an extension on said tubular member adapted to overlie the said recess.

3. A joint of the character described comprising a joint member formed with a recess and a shank at one side of the recess, a second joint member formed with a hub portion having a re cess complemental to the recess in the first mentioned joint member, there being a slot in said hub portion above said recess, a plurality of projections extending outwardly from said hub portion, and a tubular element on one of said projections, said tubular element being formed with an extension overlying the first mentioned joint member, and a second tubular element on the shank of said first mentioned joint member, said second tubular member having an extension which is received in the slot in the hub portion of the second joint member.

4. A joint of the character described comprising a joint member formed with a recess and a shank at one side of the recess, a second joint member formed with a hub portion having a recess complemental to the recess in the first mentioned joint member, there being a slot in said hub portion above said recess, a plurality of projections extending outwardly from said hub portion, and a tubular element on one of said projections, said tubular element being formed with an extension overlying the first mentioned joint member, and a second tubular element on the shank of said first mentioned joint member, said second tubular member having an extension which is received in the slot in the hub portion of the second joint member, and means for establishing a detachable connection between each of the tubular elements and the joint member with which it is associated.

5. A joint of the character described comprising a joint member formed with a shank, there being a depression in one face of the shank, a tubular element receiving said shank, said tubular element having a leaf spring integrally formed with one'side of the tubular element, said leaf spring having a projection adapted to enter the recess on the shank.

6. A joint of the character described comprising a joint member having a main body portion and a reduced shank extending therefrom, said shank being formed with depressions on opposed faces thereof, a tubular element received on said shank and formed with a pair of leaf springs on opposite faces, said leaf springs being cut from the metal of the tubular element and formed with projections adapted to engage said depressions to establish a detachable connection between the joint member and a tubular element.

HENRY R. MACK. 

